What Not To Make

I started surfing Allrecipes . com yesterday, looking for something different to make. I got my recipe I was looking for and then continued to look for other ideas. Big mistake. Ok, I have the ingredients, sounds good and easy, I'll try it.

Kugel (Never forget the name!)
2 lbs noodles
10-12 eggs
1 cup butter
someone commented about their modifications so I tried my own
1/2 lb broccoli chopped
1 cup of spinach chopped
1/4 onion sauteed
salt and pepper

make noodles, mix with everything and put in a pan for 1 hr at 350 degrees.

See, really easy, sounds good (except for those who don't like specific veggies)

My hubby nicknamed it "The Embalmed Cassarole" The children had such pitiful faces and asked, "Do I have to finish this?" in the sweetest way. Baby #6 ate it just fine, but stopped after a while and just spit it out with a face that said "yucky". #5 lovingly gave me all of her portion and said it was for me.

This is not what I expected at all, but was pleased that hubby said it was ok to ditch it. I offered my "fix" of cutting it into pieces to put into a soup, hubby said, "Yeah, cut it into pieces to put into the trash." Guess I shoulda made a quiche!


House news: Hubby has all but one window in downstairs. He's also been finishing up the mudding of the downstairs room's drywall and cleaning up and getting rid of stuff. It's so nice to hear him say he's getting rid of things!! No pictures....cause we didn't take anymore. He's also scraping ceilings to get rid of all the "popcorn" texture.

As always, knitting in the evenings and weekends. I just found this beautiful, free shawl. I don't know if I'll make it or make a vest. I'm working on a vest right now. I dunno if I'm gonna write the pattern to sell or not, we'll see.

Other than that, all's quiet here. It's starting to warm nicely and I've been walking around the yard for exercise. It's difficult to workout at night (11p.m.-1a.m.) and be wide awake, so I'm opting for outside time with the children playing. Now, I can knit at night! :)

Ok, that pretty much all the update here. Have a blessingfull week!

Induction Cookers & Yogurt Making

Thought I'd show you'alls my induction cookers. They are wonderful, especially when your stove goes out and you still have electricity! They are also great in summer when you don't want added heat in your house! This is the white one, it has a lip at the edge of the plate, the black one doesn't. They're very easy to use, the children are starting to learn. Since our stove is fixed, but so old and inefficient, that I am using the induction cookers for everything that would be stove top. I still make bread in the oven and things like meatloaf, but that's all.



The principle is on magnetism therefore, if a magnet doesn't stick to your pan, you won't be able to use it, the cooker will automatically shut off. Also, if you take your pan off the plate, the connection is broken and it will beep a few times and then shut off. I love this for teaching the children to cook, the plate does not get hot except for the retained heat from the pan. The concept is brilliant!!

Right now I'm making yogurt-thought I'd take pictures to show you!

This is the black one, I must use for this huge pan (no lip on the plate). So, by tonight sometime, we will have 2 gallons of yogurt! (and meatloaf I made last night.)

That's all that's going on here besides the children have moved to doing 2 Math lessons per day-they are absolutely excelling!! :) We will finish the first work book in no time and move to the second. We need to start Multiplication and Division now that they are good at Addition and Subtraction. Then Algebra is next, Geometry will be interspersed so that Trigonometry will flow easily as well!! I will be checking their placement and skip a few books, since in elementary the main processes are learned and then repeated until the upper grades. Their reading is doing quite well and I hope to get out these books I got from Rod & Staff:

Thrilling Escapes by Night
The Man in Bearskin
Evangelist in Chains

I have more, and I think these are great true stories and truly real life based. I think I'll be selling my Laura Ingalls books...I'd not read them before now and found that I don't want to know the inner thoughts of Laura or the disobedient things that Almonzo did. Don't children have enough bad examples that we would have to introduce more?! We want them to emmulate Christ-like characters and will be looking for more whether taken from scripture or biographies.

Well, that's all for now. Need to go get another meal/snack out! Have a blessings of a day!

In EVERY Thing???!!!

You can't be serious! It doesn't really mean that! That was written for that time only, it doesn't apply to today, or our culture, or these times!

ARE YOU TELLING ME THAT GOD LIES!! My God doesn't lie.

"Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
"For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
"Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing."
Ephesians 5:22-24

What did you say in your wedding vows, your covenant before God? Wasn't it something to the effect of "to love, honor and obey"? Nowadays many write their own "vows" that exclude such language altogether. But for those of us who had these poignant words, is this not a vow before God who NEVER CHANGES!!


I've heard so many, many excuses from women. Women that read the Bible, want to live Proverb 31 lives and desire to be godly. I'm getting over my surprise on how much they can wrest (or twist) God's Word.

"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

I have come quite a long way, or rather, I've been where you've been. I needed my time, my way of doing things, my schedule, my life : nice and neat.

I also discovered for myself the wonders of actually doing what my husband says to do. IN EVERYTHING. You know, all those little nuances of how he speaks to you that you know without a doubt in your heart that he is making his request and you just throw those thoughts aside, insert your opinion and don't do what hubby requests or just talk him out of it.

IN EVERYTHING.

Does he request certain meals? Does he mention he likes his house to look a certain way? Has he noticed when you dress nicely? Does he like it when things are going smoothly with the children? Does he like you to have a soft voice?

IN EVERYTHING.

Does he ask you to budget? Does he request desserts? Does he want to watch a movie at home with you-his choice?

IN EVERYTHING.

Did he say he wanted the schedule different today? Did he say he was going to go work on one of his projects? Did he say he wanted you to teach in this other method? Did he want you to just try his way, again?

IN EVERYTHING.

"For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." Colossians 3:3


"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." I Corinthians 6:19-20

What should be your expectation? To what are you entitled?

"So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do." Luke 17:10

What are your duties? Are you getting them done? Is your husband satisfied with what you've accomplished? How much more should you be doing?

Let's review the verse.

"Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
"For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
"Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing."

Are you sure to do what YOUR husband says? Are you listening to other wives' suggestions?
Is Suzy Q trying something different for her family, like setting the perfect table? Is is something you think you should do. Yes, it is sin if you know that it would be a time waster in your family. Especially when your hubby says that he'd rather just feed everyone and hose them off when they're done.

Setting the perfect table, making the perfect meal, wearing the perfect clothes and make-up is not going to help your marriage or make it "like it used to be".

"In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; "But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works." Titus 2:9-10

Is your pastor or one on the radio dictating what you try or what is your HUSBAND'S responsibility? I don't see any qualifiers to the verse saying, Only IF your husband loves you like Christ loves the Church.

What advice are you taking? It must be from God's Word. If you are having problems or just not able to make things work, then as a Christian woman, you MUST go to God and Obey Him first. And what does He say???

You can go here to look up verses online.

Here are a few to get you started on your own study.

I Timothy 2:9
Ephesians 5:22
Colossians 3:18
I Timothy 3:11
I Peter 3:1

Search for yourself and see God's Word open to you and bless you in ways you never thought possible!!

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies - With A Glass of Milk

I must preface by saying that we have our sweetness levels reduced since we don't have many sweets. You may want to ice them or for the pumpkin recipe use a cream cheese frosting, just suggestions. It is mandatory to have these with milk. Swap out the raisins for chocolate chips even with the pumpkin.

2 cups whole wheat flour
2 cups oats
1.5 tsp baking pwd
1.25 TBSP cinnamon
1 cup honey
1/2 cup sour cream (or yogurt)
1 tsp vanilla
3 eggs
3/4 cup butter (1.5 sticks)
1 cup raisins (or up to 1/2 cup more if desired)

Sorta drop, but mush into a cookie shape (they don't fall down) on an UNGREASED cookie sheet. Bake at 375F degrees for 12-15 mins.

*Variation:
1/2 small can or 1/4 large can of Pumpkin substituted for the Sour Cream/Yogurt
add only 1 tsp each of cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger.


The weather is clearing and now we wait for the pears. I'll take pictures. Since we didn't go out while it rained the past 2 days, we had about 1.5 cups of raspberries today. Everyone had a goodly amount!
I'm posting patterns on my handwork site and have been busy with that and finishing lots of knitting. I am keeping myself from starting yet another project until I have finished quite a few. Busy, busy, busy! Prepared the taco and pizza meat and we had the leftover soup/stew with grilled cheese sandwiches. Correlating the shopping with the meal planning has been a challenge to keep meals going when "regular" ingredients are lacking.
We are truly blessed to have our needs provided by our Jehovah Jireh - our Provider! I am finding myself automatically going to the Lord for everything, in prayer AND thanksgiving! Days are more peaceful and organized. Now on to the tongue! I am learning and will have what I say!


"And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
"For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
"Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them."
Mark 11:22-24

What do you say that may be a curse, rather than a blessing?
I just can't do this, I don't know how to handle this, How will I ever get to this?

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
Phillipians 4:13

Read the previous verses also. God has given me the ability to handle everything that comes my way.

"Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established."
Proverb 16:3

If I go to the Lord first...I will have His help, strength, peace, joy and all good things! I CAN do ALL THINGS!!

Ok, just wanted to share how I've been blessed this past week! How have you been blessed? How can we rejoice together in what the LORD has done in our lives? Ok, last verse:

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
Phillipians 4:8

We are to not only speak what is right, but to also think. So dwell on these things, mull them over, mentally ruminate and your life will show fruit!

Sorry for the Rants. Please enjoy the Rave!

I apologize for not keeping to the regular and everyday. I wanted to share more, but I’m becoming one of those boring blogs-in my honest opinion. So, I’ll get back to letting everyone know what’s up here.

We are having wonderful progress in school. I’ve put the oldest two together, keeping in mind that the younger will be challenged, but not requiring as much as the older. We are just flying through Math and I have to come up with other projects to keep them in Science and History so the book may last the year. If they are able to comprehend all this (which I know they are) we’ll be finishing these books and moving to the next level.

Here’s my curriculum for this year:

Saxon Math 2 (1 teacher’s book & workbooks for each)

Rod & Staff Pattern’s of Nature 2nd grade science (teacher’s and student book each)

Rod & Staff Our Father’s World 2nd grade history (teacher’s and student book each)

Rod & Staff English Grammar (in depth, will use through senior year of studies)

KJV Bible reading & comprehension & spelling 4th grade level (each own Bible)

Watercolors for art (Crayons, Coloring Books, Blank Spiral Notebooks for free draw)

Sign Language Made Simple by Edgar D. Lawrence (A complete manual for learning sign language in sentence form)

A set of 50 single words on 25 cards

Spanish (need to start) See It & Say It in Spanish

Right now, the children are watching (for the 2nd time) Berenstein Bears in French.

I’ve been busy keeping school going and I’ve noticed that they could start reading the lesson plan to do the next subject and prepare. I use a composition book and list the date and what we covered in each subject. It was much easier than a column book or anything else.

The next two younger (#3 and #4) are great at their alphabet and hubby is teaching them to read. We found that the more time you spend with your children in an enjoyable setting, the more they learn, the more they can surprise you with what they already know! As mothers who homeschool, this is our duty, job, obligation each and every day. We have no excuse but that our children should learn and learn well!

I’ve been finishing my knitting projects. I’ve put everything on RAVELRY . It’s easier to organize since it’s set up that way. I will post at my handwork site all that I’ve placed on ravelry so you can see.

Hubby and I are working out lots and lots. He has started biking again, riding as far (and further) as we did when we biked after #2 was born. We also walk about 2 to 3 miles 5 times out of the week as long as it’s not raining too much-or should I say storming! I’m doing my exercises that I did before and after #1 was born all the way until after #2 was born. Something happened (maybe I complained, or decided to let myself become overwhelmed with my God-given duties) and I didn’t lose weight as well after #3 though I sorta-mostly worked out. After #5 was born, I rarely worked out and then stopped until after #6 was born. BIGGEST MISTAKE.

Well, I repented of my hardheartedness and unthankfulness and the Lord has blessed me!

“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine, but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”

Proverb 17:22

Though it is slow going, I’ve lost 5 lbs in the last month and I’ve gone down from a size 14 to a size 10. I still have a good 20 to 25 lbs to lose which will further my inch loss. I am glad that I measure myself and weigh myself and keep track, otherwise I would be tempted to skip days when I didn’t feel like working out!! After #2 was born I lost about 40 lbs in 2 months— I didn’t lose but 10 at the birth, so really 30 lbs, but that’s 1/2 lb every day! I was able to do 10 REGULAR push ups before I had to stretch to do 5 more. Now, I can only do 10 without even going all the way down, then I do 10 “girl” push ups (with knees bent) all the way down. These little advances encourage me to keep going!

With all this, I found yet another encouraging verse:

“For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” I Timothy 4:8

We are eating regular meals, since I’m not expecting, I don’t need to eat every 2 hours around the clock-duh! I’ve increase my water intake from about 1/2 to 3/4 of a gallon up to 1 to 1 1/2 gallons per day. Trusting God to show us what we need to every day helps with everything all day!!

Well, it’s outside time/walk time and I need to finish thawing the meat for hamburgers. I plan on making an arm roast for Thursday possibly and loads of peas with mashed or fried potatoes.

This is a cantaloupe from our garden. It was "normal" size and very yummy!! We look forward to planting more next year!

ok, sorry that's all the pics you get. I have many to download and organize, but you can always visit my handwork blog. I just posted many there, if you're interested in knitting!!

Later!

You can't see me, I'm hiding behind my computer.

Blogger has been very disobedient! I have had trouble logging into anything Google related and today is the very, very first I've gotten this far!! So, since I haven't been online (I could visit other sites) too much I've been working and doing soooo much! In fact, we finish school before lunchtime as long as I get up early!! Yesterday I was up at 5:30A and was able to have a wonderful quiet time and read through Galatians. I am so encouraged that God is true!!
"Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you." James 4:8a

What else?! Yup, been knitting too. Usually when we go outside and also in the evenings. We're waiting on the last batch of raspberries for the season. Just about all done!


Hubby and I have been exercising alot. We walk approx. 3 miles at least 4 or 5 times per week. It is easy to make a track in the backyard and the children can play! I'm losing more weight by just adding Olive Oil (2 TBLS trying for twice per day) taken as "medicine" in orange juice. I FINALLY fit in my size 10 jeans!! I've gone from bigger than 14, then they fit, then 12 and now 10! I'm also eating more protein & vegetables and a lot less carbs and almost no cheese! We also figured that I've been eating at night since baby#5; eliminating that has helped also!!
I've stopped T-tapping. I think it helped to build my spine and strengthen all of me, but I needed more! I now do my stretching exercises I did while pregnant with #1 & #2 (when I lost ALL my weight 2 months postpardem!) and Hubby and I walk & occasionally I will lift weights with him. I don't have a problem lifting weights, I don't bulk up or look like a guy, I just get cut muscles and lose weight!

Next, school is going swimmingly! We are done before lunch & we accomplish so much! I also have Math, History and Science so that they are 3 times per week every other week - Math is a constant Monday/Wednesday/Friday. I'm using the Science & History for at least two and up to three times per lesson. It is full of information that I want to be sure they retain as well as seeing that they are working on their reading comprehension - that's not really taught, so I figured I'd do this to help them get ahead even more!! I must tell you that we had Sign Language on Tuesday when I just demonstrated and said 50 words (on a set of cards) and today we went through them by just showing the sign & #1 got 47 out of 50 correct!! (I'm not a prompter in any way, shape or form!) I enjoy teaching and seeing how the children really love to learn!!

Right now, I'm thawing hamburger to make chili. I finally made a batch of beans that were perfect - soft without being "refried" mushy! I have tomatos from the garden that I'll have the children pick when we go out here shortly. (They're all red now, this was taken about a week ago.)


I made some delicious pancakes the last few days. I'll share my recipe:

2 cups whole wheat flour
2 cups oats
4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp rounded cinnamon
1 tsp rounded ground ginger
1/2 - 1 tsp freshly ground nutmeg
1/2 - 1 tsp salt
4 TBLS butter or cocunut oil (it's cooler here, so it's turned solid)
4 TBLS honey
3 eggs
2 cups milk
1 cup raisins

Mix dry ingredients & add wet. Let sit so the oats begin to break down. Add raisins last.
Make sure everything is wet & bake on a greased pan stovetop. Ya know, like pancakes are made! Enjoy with a glass of creamy whole milk!

Hmmm...when I was offline I thinking up many things to blog about, now I'm not remembering too much now. Well, I best be off to make that chili & such. I already made the Scot Oat Cakes, they came out more like crackers this time!

Well, I'm going to see if blogger likes me & I can post this. I'm thinking about scheduling a time where my computer is connected when hubby doesn't need it. It will most certainly be after the children are in bed!! "Curious George" is almost over, so I better go.

Have a blessingfull week (or however long it is til I see ya again!)

What Does BUSY Mean To You?

This is the Ellis Family. I found it online. No relation. I just thought for an old picture, they have approximately the age distance, same birth order and number of children. Just for fun!

I've been busy. I've been over here knitting! There's the knitting, schooling, cleaning, cooking, rearing, feeding, obeying, disciplining, exercising, eating/drinking and all other everyday things I may have forgotten!

I was just digging through my boxes of books & I have so many language books!! We'll be starting with 3 easy languages: Spanish, German and Sign Language. The other languages I have are: Hebrew, Greek, Latin, Arabic, Japanese, Russian and Short Hand. We could learn a language per year!!

I also found my music books. I'll start with Music Education in the Elementary School 1944-I have another 1/2 dozen music books. I have a bag of rhythm things as well as a recorder since #1 wanted to learn to play the flute. We've already used the McGuffey First Eclectic Reader and we'll review that and move up to the Second Eclectic Reader and I need to incorporate the Handwriting for each lesson! I'm still looking for my English Grammar book, I'll find it soon-I know where it is!

Now I'm waiting on:

Science - Rod & Staff Grade 2

Social Sciences- Rod & Staff Grade 2

Math - Saxon Math 2 (did get Saxon Math K, 1, & 3 so I'll have some foundational work for the babies (1, 2.5 &4) and then seeing how well the older two go through Math 2, I have 3 ready'n'waiting :NO, not new>eb.ay used!)

This will be for the 2 oldest and I'll be starting all 5 children in a learning schedule!! I'll let the 4 month old (yup, he's that big already) wait a little bit before catching up with his siblings.

Just like cloth diapers, I won't have much to buy for each child that goes through this curriculum!!!

I, like every mother out there that spends time & teaches her children, know where my children are academically. I can see where I haven't pushed them AT ALL and they catch on to concepts and ideas well. So, when I teach them, they'll be learning more efficiently and if I ever push them (encourage them to do more) they will excel! Last year was our "practice" year & we did the minimum and they advanced tremendously. This year is our "real" year for our oldest as far as scheduling, record keeping and subjects; but-you know, I just realized that we homeschool from birth. Subject closed.

**If you haven't figured out by now, I was homeschooled. Only 9th thru 12th and then I continued with a few subjects for several years after. I loved it so much more than any other schooling I ever had!! (I've been to Public, Catholic, Private Christian and Homeschool) I helped my parents along with my two younger brothers to set up several state homeschool conferences, then went on to teach a few violin students and played in 4 local orchestras. (My Lord Jesus gets credit for that talent, I just used it) I worked for almost two years in a violin shop before I was married and started another country!! (see above picture)

Did I mention that I fell in love with the violin after seeing the movie,

"And They Shall Have Music"

I started playing at age 14 and still play for my children.

Go here for more homeschooling mom's pages!

Read to Me

I didn't realize the awe that children have for a good story. I've read plenty, including Green Eggs and Ham, but the fascination and questions of intrigue that followed after reading several chapters in Little House in the Big Woods amazed me! I am so happy to see them listen and watch their faces as their minds paint pictures. I am looking forward to story time now, which happens to be several times during the day. :)

Another backyard pic from the last snow we got that drifted to 3 or 4 feet. (drifts not shown, but on standby)

With the change in weather, I put on my wool leg warmers (the arms of a favourite sweater I shrunk) and turned on the oven. I made a batch of whole wheat bread, tried putting pumpkin bread in a muffin pan and round cake pan (I was able to shave off the top burned layer and turn it over for a perfect top!) and made a beef and potato stew for dinner.